Methods for high throughput sperm sorting

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally, this disclosure relates to a method for sorting particles,and more particularly, relates to the high throughput sorting methodsfor sperm in a microfluidic chip.

BACKGROUND

Various techniques, including flow cytometry, have been employed toyield sperm populations enriched with respect to certain desiredcharacteristics. In the livestock production industry, an ability toinfluence reproductive outcomes has obvious advantages. For example,gender pre-selection provides an economic benefit to the dairy industryin that pre-selecting female offspring ensures the birth of dairy cows.Similarly, the beef industry, as well as the pork industry, and othermeat producers benefit from the production of males. Additionally,endangered or exotic species can be placed on accelerated breedingprograms with an increased percentage of female offspring.

Previous efforts to produce commercially viable populations of spermsorted for X-chromosome bearing sperm or Y-chromosome bearing spermlargely relied on droplet sorting in jet-in-air flow cytometers. (Seee.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,307; U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,216; and U.S. Pat. No.5,135,759). However, certain drawbacks exist with these methods anddevices. Even with advances in droplet flow cytometry, practicallimitations still exist which hinder the number of sperm cells that canbe sorted in a particular window. As such, sex-sorted artificialinsemination (AI) doses are generally smaller than conventional AIdoses. In bovine, for example, conventional AI doses may contain about10 million sperm, whereas sex-sorted doses often contain about 2 millionsperm. Conventional AI doses for equine and porcine are in the magnitudeof hundreds of millions and billions of spermatozoa, respectively.Sex-sorted sperm, while potentially valuable, has not found widespreaduse in either species, because lower AI dosages generally result inlower pregnancy and birth rates. Given the large numbers of spermrequired in equine and porcine, acceptable dosages have not beenachieved for AI.

Sperm are time sensitive and delicate cells that lack the ability toregenerate. Accordingly, longer sorting times are injurious to sperm, asthey continuously deteriorate during staining and sorting. Additionally,sperm sorted in a jet-in-air flow cytometer may be subjected tomechanical forces, torsion, stresses, strains and high powered lasersthat further injure sperm. Sperm travel at velocities between about 15m/s and about 20 m/s in the fluid stream of a jet-in-air flow cytometer.These velocities combined with the narrow stream dimensions may giverise to damaging sheering forces that can harm sperm membranes.Additionally, a high laser power is required, as sperm traveling at highvelocities remain incident to the beam profile for a shorter period oftime providing less of an excitation and measurement window fordifferentiating sperm. Finally, sperm which is ejected from a jet-in-airnozzle at 15 m/s will impact fluid in a collection container or a wallof the container at a similar velocity, presenting a further opportunityto injure sperm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the claimed invention are summarized below. Theseembodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimedinvention, but rather serve as brief descriptions of possible forms ofthe invention. The invention may encompass a variety of forms whichdiffer from these summaries.

One embodiment relates to a sperm sorting system that may include asample source. At least one flow channel may be formed in a substrateand in fluid communication with the sample source. The at least one flowchannel may include an inspection region, a first outlet, and a secondoutlet. At least one diverting mechanism may be in fluid communicationwith the at least one flow channel to selectively divert sperm away fromthe first outlet. An electromagnetic radiation source may be configuredfor illuminating sperm in the at least one flow channel at theinspection region and a detector may be aligned to measure spermcharacteristics. An analyzer in communication with the detector maydetermine sperm characteristics and provide instructions to a controllerfor selectively activating the diverting mechanism. A collection vesselin communication with the second outlet may collect diverted sperm basedon the measured sperm characteristics.

Another embodiment relates to a microfluidic chip for sorting sperm. Themicrofluidic chip can include a plurality of flow channels formed in asubstrate. Each flow channel might include an inlet in communicationwith two outlets. Each flow channel may additionally include a fluidfocusing region having an associated fluid focusing feature for aligningsperm cells within the flow channel, a sperm orienting region having anassociated sperm orienting feature for orienting sperm cells within theflow channel, and an inspection region at least partially downstream ofthe fluid focusing region and the sperm orienting region. Additionally,a diverting mechanism may be in communication with each flow channel.

Another embodiment relates to a method of sorting sperm. The method maybegin by flowing sperm through a plurality of flow channels in amicrofluidic chip. Sperm may then be oriented within the microfluidicchip and flown through an inspection region. Sperm may be interrogatedat the inspection region to determine sperm characteristics. Orientedsperm may be differentiated from unoriented sperm and/or non-viablesperm and a subpopulation of oriented sperm may be selected based on thedetected sperm characteristics. The subpopulation of selected sperm maythen be collected in the collection vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a single flow channel in sperm sortingmicofluidic system in accordance with certain embodiments describedherein.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate an arrangement of flow channels on a microfluidicchip in accordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 3A-D illustrate the operation of a diverting mechanism inaccordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 4A-C illustrate alternative diverting mechanisms in accordancewith certain embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative diverting mechanism in accordance withcertain embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a chip holder and beam separator in accordance withcertain embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a chip, chip holder and cartridge inaccordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sperm cell having a longitudinal axis.

FIGS. 9A-C illustrate a flow channel in accordance with certainembodiments described herein.

FIGS. 10A-D illustrate sectional views of a flow channel geometry inaccordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 11A-D illustrate sectional views of a flow channel geometry inaccordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 12A-B illustrate a portion of a flow channel geometry inaccordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates a vertical cross section of a flow channel geometryin accordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 14A-B illustrate a portion of a flow channel geometry inaccordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIG. 15 illustrates a vertical cross section of a flow channel geometryin accordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates a portion of a flow channel geometry in accordancewith certain embodiments described herein.

FIG. 17 illustrates a portion of a flow channel geometry in accordancewith certain embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 18A-C illustrate an orienting geometry in accordance with certainembodiments described herein.

FIGS. 19A-C illustrate an orienting geometry in accordance with certainembodiments described herein.

FIGS. 20A-D illustrate flow channel features in accordance with certainembodiments described herein.

FIGS. 21A-B illustrate alternative embodiments of sperm orientingfeatures in accordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIG. 22 illustrates collection optics in accordance with certainembodiments described herein.

FIG. 23 illustrates an array of detectors in accordance with certainembodiments described herein.

FIGS. 24A-E illustrate various detection schemes in accordance withcertain embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 25A-D illustrate illumination and light collection features offlow channels in accordance with certain embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 26A-D illustrate detection systems in accordance with certainembodiments described herein.

FIG. 27 illustrates a detection scheme which provides a single detectorfor multiple light paths in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIGS. 28A-B illustrate a detection scheme incorporating alternatives toside fluorescence detection in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIGS. 29A-D illustrate a detection scheme for determining spermorientation with a forward signal in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein.

While the present invention may be embodied with various modificationsand alternative forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in thefigures and described herein by way of illustrative examples. It shouldbe understood the figures and detailed descriptions are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention to the particular form disclosed, butthat all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents falling within thespirit and scope of the claims are intended to be covered.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments described herein relate to a high throughputmicrofluidic system and device for sorting sperm, which overcomesdeficiencies in the sorting speeds of prior devices with the inclusionof a plurality of parallel flow channels while maintaining the sperm inmore gentle sorting conditions.

The term “flow channel,” as used herein, refers to a pathway formed inor through a medium that allows the movement of fluids such as liquidsor gasses. The flow channels of a micofluidic system may have crosssectional dimensions in the range of between about 1 micron and about500 microns.

A “microfluidic system” may be considered a device that conveysparticles of interest through one or more flow channels for the purposeof monitoring, detecting, analyzing, and/or sorting the particles ofinterest.

The term “viable” should be understood to refer to generally acceptedprojections of cell health. As one example, sperm sorting techniquesemploy a dual stain protocol in which a quenching dye differentiallypermeates membrane compromised sperm. Such a staining protocoldistinguishes membrane comprised sperm from sperm which are generallyhealthier by permeating membrane compromised sperm cells and quenchingthe fluorescence associated with a DNA selective fluorescent dye. Thepermeation of the quenching dye is readily ascertainable in the courseof analysis or sorting and may serve as a proxy for non-viable sperm.Although, some sperm which are quenched may be capable of fertilization,and some sperm which are not quenched may not be capable forfertilization, or may shortly thereafter loss the capability tofertilize. In either event, sperm which are unquenched in such aprotocol provide one example of sperm which may be considered “viable”in conventional procedures.

As used herein the terms “beam segment” and “beamlet” should beunderstood to interchangeably refer to a portion of a beam ofelectromagnetic radiation spatially separated from another portion ofthe beam, where each portion may comprise a fraction of a beam profile,or may comprise beam portions split by conventional beam splitters, eachhaving the same profile as the initial beam and a fraction of theintensity.

As used herein the terms “vertical,” “lateral,” “top,” “bottom,”“above”, “below,” “up,” “down,” and other similar phrases should beunderstood as descriptive terms providing general relationship betweendepicted features in the figures and not limiting on the claims,especially relating to flow channels and microfluidic chips describedherein, which may be operated in any orientation.

Turning to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a sperm sorting systemincluding a high throughput sorting apparatus 10. The high throughputsorting apparatus 10 may be a fluidically enclosed device 60, such as amicrofluidic chip 80, having at least one flow channel 18.Schematically, the flow channel 18 is illustrated as a single flowchannel however; the flow channel 18 should be understood as at leastone flow channel in the sorting apparatus. As a non-limiting example,between 4 and 512 flow channels may be formed in a single highthroughput sorting apparatus 10. Each flow channel 18 may be formed in achip substrate and may have interior dimensions of between 25 micronsand 250 microns. The flow channels 18 may be spaced between about 100and 3000 microns apart. The spacing of the flow channels 18 may dependon the ability of the system to detect fluorescence in each channel oron the space required to implement mechanical or electromechanicalcomponents to divert sperm 12 in the flow channel 18.

Sheath fluid may be supplied from a sheath source 16 and flowed into theflow channel 18 through a sheath inlet 50. Sperm 12 contained in asample fluid may be supplied by, and initially located in, a samplesource 14. Sample containing particles or cells of interest, such assperm cells, may flow from the sample source 14 and into the at leastone flow channel 18 through a sample inlet 48. The sample inlet 48 andthe sheath inlet 50 may be configured such that a laminar, or nearlylaminar, co-axial flow 72 develops in the flow channel 18. The coaxialflow 72 may consist of an inner stream 76, also referred to as a corestream, of sample and an outer stream of sheath fluid 78. Appropriateflow rates may be applied to both the sample source 14 and the sheathsource 16 for establishing flow velocities, appropriate sample to sheathratios, and particle event rates in the flow channel 18.

The velocity of particles in the coaxial flow 72 may be between about1.5 m/s and about 5 m/s in the flow channel 18, as compared to betweenabout 15 m/s and about 20 m/s in a droplet sorter. This lower velocityreduces the pressure to which the sperm cells are exposed, and perhapsmore importantly reduces the sheering forces to which the particles areexposed in the flow channel 18. Additionally, the impact associated withcollecting droplets is eliminated in the described system.

In one embodiment, the sample and sheath are established at pressureswhich provide a sample to sheath ratio of about 1:20. In certainembodiments, sheath fluid may be nearly eliminated or even entirelyeliminated, resulting in little or no dilution. In contrast, dropletsorters tend to dilute sperm cells about 50:1 in sheath fluid and caneven dilute sample as much as 100:1. These high dilution factors maycontribute to dilution shock that may have a negative impact on thehealth of the sorted sperm.

Returning to FIG. 1, sperm 12 are illustrated passing through aninspection region 26 in the flow channel 18, where the sperm 12 areilluminated with an electromagnetic radiation source 30 and whereemitted or reflected electromagnetic radiation 52 from the sperm 12 iscaptured by one or more sets of collection optics 54 having a suitableaspect ratio and numerical aperture for projection onto one or moredetectors 56, which may interchangeably be referred to as sensors, forquantification by an analyzer 58. A sorting decision may be made in theanalyzer 58 which is then passed through a controller 36 for actuatingthe appropriate response in a diverting mechanism 28. The divertingmechanism 28 may be a transducer 42, such as an ultrasonic transducer,for producing waves that divert cells in the flow path 18. Thetransducer 42 may also be a piezoelectric element forming a portion ofan actuator. The diverting mechanism 28 may direct sperm into any or afirst outlet 20, second outlet 22, and a third outlet 24. Although, inone embodiment the diverting mechanism 28 may direct sperm into only afirst outlet 20 or a second outlet 22.

Electromagnetic radiation 46 emitted by the electromagnetic radiationsource 30 may be manipulated by beam shaping optics 40 and/or a beamsplitting device 74 in free space to produce one or more manipulatedbeam(s) 44, which may also be referred to as beamlets or beam segments44. A suitable electromagnetic radiation source may include aquasi-continuous wave laser such as a Vanguard 355-350 or a Vanguard355-2500 model laser available from Newport Spectra Physics (Irvine,Calif.). A manipulated beam in the form of one or more beamlets may bepurposefully altered to provide uniform intensity, power, and/orgeometry from one beamlet to the next beamlet. Each beamlet intensityprofile may additionally be highly uniform in one or more axes. Forexample each beamlet may have a “top-hat” or “flat top” beam profile,although other profiles may also be used. In one embodiment, eachbeamlet profile may also have a Guassian distribution in one or moreaxes. Each beamlet may have an elliptical, circular, rectangular orother suitable shape. Each beamlet may also have an aspect ratio, axisof symmetry or other suitable profile. Alternatively, beamlet intensityprofiles may be varied in a non-uniform manner. In one embodiment, aplurality of fiber optics may be employed to deliver multiple beams toone or more flow channels.

The electromagnetic radiation source 30 may be a common source ofelectromagnetic radiation divided among each of several flow channels18. As one example, the beam splitting device 74 may be a segmentedmirror, such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,492,522, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The segmentedmirror may divide the electromagnetic radiation 46 into a plurality ofbeamlets, each beamlet being directed to a respective inspection region26 of the at least one flow channel 18. In additional embodiments, apartial transmission element may be incorporated into light paths infree space or as part of a fiber cable. The partial transmission elementmay include pass-through apertures and/or blocking regions to obtain anultimate beam profile suited to excite sperm cells in the inspectionregion. Partial transmission elements may be positioned within anoptical train, or alternatively they may be incorporated onto or withina chip substrate. Such an element may include more than one transmissionregion per flow channel. As a non-limiting example, pairs of rectangularapertures along a flow axis may sequentially illuminate sperm cells in aflow path.

The analyzer 58 and controller 36 may be two separate components, or mayrepresent two functions performed by a single component, such as aprocessing device 32. For example, one or more memories connectedthrough a bus to one or more processors may execute written computerinstructions to perform each of the functions described with respect tothe controller 36 and the analyzer 58. Non-limiting examples of suitableprocessing devices 32 include personal computers and other computingsystems. The analyzer 58 may be in communication with a user interface62, which may include a display 64 and an input 66. The user interface62 may graphically display various sorting parameters and provide avisual feedback for adjusting one or more of sort parameters. As anon-limiting example, a sort logic may comprise the logic applied toeach sort decision. The sort logic may be adjusted by a user at the userinterface 62 based on sorting data generated on the display 64 or basedon a visual representation of sort data provided at the user interface62. The types of adjustments which may be made to the sort logic mayinclude adjusting gating regions, adjusting the strategy for dealingwith coincident events, and/or adjusting the sort envelopes associatedwith each potential sort decision.

As an illustrative example, sperm may be identified as viableX-chromosome bearing sperm, viable Y-chromosome bearing sperm, or asparticles which are not desirable for collection, such as waste andunoriented sperm. In one embodiment, the coaxial stream flows to thefirst outlet 20 by default and the first outlet 20 is in communicationwith a vessel for collecting waste. In this configuration, the vessel incommunication with the first outlet 20 may also be a passive collectionvessel, in that sperm are collected in this vessel when no action istaken. Particles which are positively identified as either viableX-chromosome bearing sperm 68 or viable Y-chromosome bearing sperm 70may be actively diverted by a diverting mechanism 28. Actuation of thediverting mechanism may be timed using calculated velocities, as well asindividually measured velocities and aggregated velocities for a numberof sperm. Viable X-chromosome bearing sperm 68 may be diverted into thesecond outlet 22, whereas viable Y-chromosome bearing sperm 70 may bediverted into the third outlet 24.

Turning to FIG. 2A a portion of a sperm sorting system 10 is illustratedin the form of a microfludic chip 80 having several flow paths 18 a, 18b, 18 c, 18 d, and 18 n, which are each generally in parallel. Each flowchannel 18 may be fluidically connected to the sample and sheath as wellas to collection vessel forming a fluidically enclosed device 60. Eachflow channel 18 has a sample inlet 48 and a sheath inlet 50 as describedwith respect to FIG. 1 for establishing coaxial flow therein. Aninspection zone 26 is provided across each of the flow channel 18. Aspecific diverting mechanism is illustrated in the form of a bubblevalve for diverting particles flowing in the flow channel 18. The bubblevalves may be like those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,569,788, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Thebubble valves may be operated in each flow channel 18 for allowingparticles to flow through the first outlet 20 of each channel 18, or fordiverting particles into the second outlet 22 or the third outlet 24 ofeach channel 18. It should be appreciated, bubble valves are provided inthis figure for illustrative purposes and that other divertingmechanisms 28, such as mechanisms for deflecting cells with acousticwaves and mechanisms to facilitate deflecting particles withelectromagnetic radiation may also be incorporated.

FIG. 2B illustrates different features, which may be interchangeable andneed not be used together. Each of the flow channels 18 is illustratedwith only first 20 and second outlets 22. Such a configuration may beused for collecting for cells with a single desired trait, suchcollecting only viable X-chromosome bearing sperm or viable Y-chromosomebearing sperm. An array of ultrasonic transducers 82 is illustrateddownstream of the inspection region 26 and for the purpose ofselectively diverting sperm cells. The array of ultrasonic transducer 82may be embedded within the microfluidic chip 80 or they may be placed onthe exterior of the microfluidic chip 80. Regardless of positioning, thearray of ultrasonic transducers 82 may comprise a series of independentultrasonic transducers 42 which are independently activated by thecontroller 36 for diverting sperm cells on demand to their respectiveoutlets in parallel flow channels 18. Multiple ultrasonic transducersmay be arranged in arrays or other formations along the direction offlow for a given flow channel to enable multiple actuations to beapplied to a given particle as it travels along the flow channel towardsa selection region, or branch leading to multiple outlets. Fluid outletsmay interface with a suitable coupling ship holder element and providesuitable manifold features to maintain fluidic isolation or to poolvarious outlet fluids.

FIG. 2C illustrates alternative configurations of the channels and theoutlets. Pooling channels may be fabricated with the microfluidic chip80 for the collection and pooling of common outputs. In one embodiment,adjacent outlets are merged in flow the first flow channel 18 a, secondflow channel 18 b, third flow channel 18 c, and fourth flow channel 18d. The sorting logic may be adjusted according to different chipconfigurations to ensure the second and third outlets, respectively,collect the same particles in each fluid stream. For example, the firstoutlet 20 a′ of the first flow channel 18 a merges with the first outlet20 b′ of the second flow channel 18 b. Downstream of each merging point,the single channel which receives fluid from both outlets may be pooledin a first pooling channel 84. The first pooling channel 84 may beformed a different layer of the microfluidic chip 80 to allow poolingfrom multiple merged outlets. The first pooling channel 84 may be influid communication with a first common collection vessel. The firstpooling channel 84 is additionally illustrated in a configuration forcollecting fluid from the first outlet 20 c′ of the third flow channel18 c, the first outlet 20 d′ of the fourth flow channel 18 d.

Similarly, a second pooling channel 86 is illustrated in communicationwith the merged second outlet 22 a′ of the first flow channel 18 a andsecond outlet 22 b′ of the second flow channel 18 b as well as with themerged second outlet 22 c′ of the third flow channel 18 c and secondoutlet 22 d′ of the forth flow channel 18 d. The second pooling channel86 may be in fluid communication with a second common collection vessel.A third pooling channel 88 is illustrated in communication with themerged third outlet 24 a′ of the first flow channel 18 a and thirdoutlet 24 b′ of the second flow channel 18 b as well as with the mergedthird outlet 24 c′ of the third flow channel 18 c and third outlet 24 d′of the forth flow channel 18 d. The third pooling channel 88 may be influid communication with a third common collection vessel.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A-3D one embodiment of the diverting mechanism 28is depicted in action. Sample containing sperm cells 12 may be suppliedthrough a sample inlet 48 and injected into a sheath fluid flow providedby the sheath source 16 through the sheath inlet 50. The flow channel 18carries sperm 12 through the inspection region 26, where the cells areilluminated by the electromagnetic radiation source 30 and where spermcharacteristics are determined by the analyzer 58 in communication withthe detector 56.

Two opposed diverting mechanisms 28 are illustrated in the form of afirst bubble valve 90 a and a second bubble valve 90 b downstream of theinspection region 26. The bubble valves 90 are spaced opposite eachother, although those of ordinary skill will realize that otherconfigurations can also be used. The first and second bubble valves 90 aand 90 b are in fluid communication with the flow duct 18 through afirst side passage 94 a and a second side passage 94 b, respectively.

Liquid, generally sheath fluid, fills these side passages 94 a and 94 bproviding fluid communication between the flow channel 18 and a membrane96 associated with each. The membrane 96 may be in the form of ameniscus or other flexible material, including elastic materials. Themembrane 96 defines an interface between the sheath fluid and anothervolume of fluid 98, such as a gas or gel in a fluid chamber 100 of theassociated bubble valve 90. An actuator may be provided for engagingeither bubble valve 90, which momentarily causes a flow disturbance inthe flow channel 18 and deflects flow therein when activated. Asillustrated, an actuator is coupled to the first bubble valve 90 a andthe second bubble valve 90 b. One bubble valve 90 may serve as a bufferfor absorbing the pressure pulse created by the other bubble valves 90when activated. Alternatively, an actuator may be in communication withonly one bubble valve 90 for deflecting particles or cells in a singledirection. Alternatively, an actuator may be in communication with asingle bubble valve for deflecting particles in more than one direction.As will be described in more detail later, a single bubble valve may beconfigured to selectively push or pull the trajectory of particles alongtheir fluid path. The actuators may be pins configured for actuating anyone of the groups of bubble valves in multiple flow channels 18. Pinsmay be configured in a number of arrangements to accommodate differentconfigurations, like those depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C. An illustrativeexample of an actuator for actuating pins individually for deflectingparticles in multiple parallel channels is described in U.S. Pat. No.8,123,044, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

The first side passage 94 a is hydraulically connected to a fluidchamber 100 a in the first bubble valve 90 a, so that as pressureexerted in this chamber is increased, the flow in the flow channel 18near the side passage 94 a is displaced away from the side passage 94 a,substantially perpendicular to the normal flow in the flow channel. Thesecond side passage 94 b, positioned opposite of the first side passage94 a, is hydraulically connected to a second fluid chamber 90 b in thesecond bubble valve 90 b and may absorb pressure associated with theperpendicular displacement caused by the first bubble valve 90 a. Thisfirst side passage 94 a cooperates with the second side passage 94 b todirect the before mentioned liquid displacement caused by pressurizingthe fluid chamber 90 a, so that the displacement has a componentperpendicular to the normal flow of the particles through the flowchannel 18. In an alternative embodiment, a single bubble valve may beused without a cooperating second bubble valve.

The cooperation of the two side passages 94 and fluid chambers 100causes the flow through the flow channel 18 to be transiently movedsideways back and forth upon pressurizing and depressurizing of theeither fluid chamber 100 by the external actuator. Based on the detectedsperm characteristics, an actuator on either bubble valve 90 may bedriven by the controller 36 and can be applied in deflecting spermhaving predetermined characteristics to separate them from the remainingparticles in the sample.

The flow channel 18 is illustrated with a first branch leading to afirst outlet 20 that is generally parallel with the existing flowchannel 18. The first outlet 20 may be a default outlet to whichparticles will flow unless one of the bubble valves 90 is activated. Asecond outlet 22 may branch away from the first outlet 20 some distancedownstream of the inspection region 26. Similarly, a third outlet 24 maybe reached through a branch generally on the opposite side of the flowchannel 18 as the first branch. The angle between the branches extendingto the second 22 and third outlets 24 may be separated between 0 and 180degrees, or even between 10 and 45 degrees.

The sperm cells 12 supplied from the sample source 14, may containmultiple types of cells which may be differentiated by the analyzer 58.In the case of sperm 12, there may be viable X-chromosome bearing sperm68, viable Y-chromosome bearing sperm 70, and undesirable particles. Theundesirable particle may include dead sperm, unoriented sperm whichcould not be identified, other particles, or sperm cells which are notsufficiently spaced in the flow channel for separation.

Upon sensing a predetermined characteristic in a sperm cell 12,illustrated as an X-chromosome bearing sperm 68, the analyzer 58 mayprovide a signal to the controller 36 for activating the appropriateexternal actuator at an appropriate time, which in turn engages thesecond bubble valve 90 b to cause pressure variations in the fluidchamber 100 b. This pressure variation deflects the membrane 96 b in thesecond bubble valve 90 b. The first side passage 94 a and the firstbubble valve 90 a absorb the resulting transient pressure variations inthe flow channel 18 resulting in a diverting force in the flow chamber18, which is timed to divert the X-chromosome bearing sperm cell 68 to adifferent position in the flow channel 18 (seen in FIG. 3B). The fluidchamber 90 a of the first bubble valve 90 a may have a resilient wall,such as a meniscus, or may contain a compressible fluid, such as a gasor gel. The resilient properties allow the flow of liquid from the flowchannel 18 into the first side passage 94 a, allowing the pressure pulseto be absorbed providing a narrow window in which cells are diverted andpreventing disturbance to the flow of the non-selected particles in thestream of particles. Similarly, in the event a Y-chromosome bearingsperm 70 is detected an external actuator may be utilized to pressurizethe first bubble valve 90 a and divert the sperm cell to the thirdoutlet 24. Alternatively, either Y-chromosome bearing sperm,X-chromosome bearing sperm, or even both may be passively sorted bybeing allowed to pass through to the first outlet while undesirablesperm is deflected away from the first outlet.

FIG. 3C illustrates a period immediately following deflection the secondbubble valve 90 b when the particle of interest, shown as the sameviable X-chromosome bearing sperm 68, has left the volume between thefirst side passage 94 a and the second side passage 94 b. Following suchan activation the pressure inside the both fluid chambers 100 returns tonormal and each membrane 96 returns to an equilibrium position whilesheath fluid exits the first side passage 94 a and reenters the secondside passage 94 b as indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 3D illustrates the system 10 after completion of the switchingsequence. The pressures inside the fluid chambers 100 of each bubblevalve 90 are equalized, allowing the flow through the flow channel 18 tonormalize so that undeflected sperm continue toward the first outlet 20.Meanwhile, the particle of interest, still illustrated as a viableX-chromosome bearing sperm cell, has been displaced from its originaltrajectory, and flows into the first branch and the second outlet 22,while the other cells may continue undeflected towards the first outlet20, thereby separating the particles based on the predeterminedcharacteristic.

In an alternative embodiment, one or both of the first bubble valve 90 aand the second bubble valve 90 b may be preloaded with pressure by anactuator. In response to sort decisions generated by the analyzer 58 andsort actions from the controller 36, the actuator may be unloaded fromeither bubble valve 90 in order to retract the respective membrane 96,draw additional sheath fluid into the respective side passage 94 inorder to deflect the trajectory of a sperm cells towards that sidepassage 94.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, one embodiment of a diverting mechanism 28,and in particular one embodiment of the bubble valve 90, is depicted inwhich an actuator 92 is affixed to a flexible interface 102 at anattachment point 112. The flexible interface 102 may be fluidicallysealed with the fluid chamber 100, or may actuate an intermediatecomponent which in turns causes actions like those described below. In afirst position, which may be considered a resting position, the actuator92 and the flexible interface 102 are at rest, so that the fluid 98 inthe fluid chamber 100 does not deflect the membrane 96 into the sidepassage 94. In a second position, which may be considered a firstactivation position, the actuator 92 may be driven into the flexibleinterface 102, causing the flexible interface 102 to intrude into thevolume of the fluid chamber 100 such that pressure is applied on themembrane 96 and fluid is expelled from the side passage 94. Thisexpelled sheath fluid provides the pressure pulse which may deflectparticles, like sperm, away from the side passage 94.

When the actuator 92 is attached to the flexible interface 102 at anattachment point 112, a third position, which may be considered a secondactivation position, is possible whereby the actuator 92 pulls theflexible interface 102 away from the fluid chamber 100 expanding thevolume (in the case of compressible fluids) such that the membrane 96 isdrawn in and additional sheath fluid is drawn into the side passage 94.The resulting pressure pulse may draw sperm or other particles towardsthe side passage 94 in the flow channel 18. It should be appreciatedthat the volumes of the fluid chambers 100, the type of fluid 98, andthe dimensions of the side passage 94 may be modified to achieve desireddeflections in the flow channel 18. It should further be appreciated,the second position and the third position, may be considered theextreme positions, and that a multitude of intermediate positions arealso contemplated between the two extreme positions. For example, theflow channel 18 may comprise four, five, six or more branches, each ofwhich may be capable of receiving particles properly deflected by thebubble valve 90.

FIG. 4B provides an alternative embodiment, whereby the actuator 92 ispreloaded onto the flexible interface 102. Stated differently, the fluidchamber 100, the fluid 98, and the membrane 96 may be considered to bein a resting position while there is some deflection of the flexibleinterface 102 into the fluid chamber 100 volume. The actuator 92 may befurther driven into the flexible interface 102 to a first activationposition, which acts on the fluid 98 to displace the membrane 96 andexpel sheath fluid from the side passage 94.

Moving the actuator 92 outwards, to the second activation position, mayact to draw the membrane 96 inwards and draw fluid into the side passage94. In such an embodiment, moving the actuator 92 into a position, whichmay appear to be a resting position, may accomplish a pressure pulse fordeflecting particles. In the depicted embodiment, this displacement mayresult in a pressure pulse which draws particles towards the sidepassage 94. However, an attachment point 112 may be provided between theactuator 92 and the flexible interface 102, and the flexible interface102 such that the flexible interface 102 can be preloaded in theopposite direction.

FIG. 4C depicts one alternative embodiment of a bubble valve in whichthe flexible interface 102 may comprise a bimorph piezoelectric element110. The bimorph piezoelectric element 110 may be provided in a sealedrelationship with the fluid chamber 100, or may rest against anotherflexible material which is sealed against the fluid chamber 100 andthrough which motion of the bimorph piezoelectric element 110 istranslated. In a resting position, the bimorph piezoelectric element 110may be at rest, such that particles pass the side passage 94undeflected. In response to a control signal the bimorph piezoelectricelement 110 may bend into a first activation position intruding into thefluid chamber volume 100 and causing the membrane 96 to expel out of theside passage 94. The resulting pressure pulse may deflect particles awayfrom the side passage 94 and the bubble valve 90. Similarly, the bimorphpiezoelectric 110 may be provided with a signal causing the element todeflect or bend into a second activation position. The second activationposition may act upon the fluid 98, fluid chamber 100, and membrane 96in a manner that draws fluid into the side passage 94. In this way,particles may be deflected towards the side passage 94.

The bimorph piezoelectric element 110 may be precisely controlled byelectrical signals in degree of deflection and timing. For example, anynumber of intermediate positions between the first and second activationpositions may be achieved for deflecting particles with a variety oftrajectories. The bimorph piezoelectric element 110 may only require anelectrical connection, thereby potentially simplifying spacing issueswhich may otherwise exist.

While bubble valves present a viable diverting mechanism, otherdiverting mechanisms 28 are contemplated for use with certain aspects ofthe microfluidic chip described herein. An alternative arrangement isillustrated in FIG. 5, which shows a particle being diverted by theactivation of transducers 42, such as piezoelectric elements orultrasonic transducers. Each transducer 42 may form a portion of anarray of transducers 82. Each transducer 42 in the array of transducers82 may be sequentially activated based on expected or calculatedparticle velocity to provide pulses which act on the particle atmultiple points along the flow channel 18.

An electromagnetic radiation source 30 may provide electromagneticradiation for inspecting particles. A fluorescence, scatter, or otherresponsive emission may be detected by one or more detectors 56, andprocessed by analyzer 58. Resulting sort decisions may be conveyed froma controller 36 through a driving element 108 to each transducer 42. Thedriving element 108 may provide the timed activation of transducers 42for interacting with a sperm cell or other particle multiple times alongthe flow channel 18. Each transducer 42 may be an acoustic transducer,or even an ultrasonic transducer, and the frequency at which thetransducers are drive may be optimized for producing a deflection ofparticles, or even more specifically for deflecting or diverting spermin the flow channel 18. In one embodiment, each transducer 42 mayprovide a single pulse directed to divert the particle, while in anotherembodiment, each transducer may produce multiple pulses directed todivert the particle. In still another embodiment, one or more arrays oftransducers 82 may be operated to produce a standing wave in the flowchannel 18. As a diverting mechanism 28 the standing wave may attract orrepel particles within certain nodes or antinodes of the acoustic field.In one embodiment, the transducers 42 are operated in the range of 10-16MHz.

In one embodiment, an array of transducers 82 is present on each side ofthe flow channel 18 for diverting particles in both directions. Inanother embodiment, a single array of transducers 82 may be incorporatedfor the purpose of deflecting particles or sperm cells in bothdirections. The array of transducers 82 may be embedded within a chipsubstrate, or they may be located on an external surface of amicrofluidic chip 80. Additional, the array of transducers 82 may beremovable from the chip 80.

In an alternative embodiment, an array of optical elements may beincorporated in a similar manner to divert particles with a radiationpressure. A single laser, or other source of electromagnetic radiationmay be gated or staged in a manner that allows multiple applications toa single particle traveling along the flow channel, or which rapidlyfollows particles in the flow channel 18. Alternatively, multiple lasersmay be used to deflect a particle with several applications of radiationpressure.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a chip holder 104 is illustrated for holding amicrofluidic chip 80 in a precise position so that an actuator block 106and shaped/separated beam may precisely engage the diverting mechanisms28 and inspections regions 26, respectively. A beam splitting deice 74is illustrated for producing multiple beam segments, each of which maybe aligned with a flow channel 18 generally perpendicular to the flowchannel 18 or at an angle. The chip holder 104 may include a mechanismfor firmly securing the microfluidic chip 80 in a relative position, ormay include mechanisms for adjusting the relative position of themicrofluidic chip 80, such as for aligning the flow channel in the chipwith detectors and illumination sources.

Turning now to FIG. 7 an embodiment of a microfluidic chip 80 isillustrated on a chip holder 104 in conjunction with a fluidics systemin the form of a cartridge 168. It should be appreciated, some featuresillustrated formed in portions of the chip holder 104 may also beintegrated into an additional layer of the microfluidic chip 80 itself.The microfluidic chip 80 is illustrated with multiple flow channels 18having a sheath inlet 50 and a sample inlet 48, in addition to a firstoutlet 20 a second outlet 22 and a third outlet 24 in each channel.

The cartridge 168 may comprise a series of reservoirs in fluidcommunication with the microfluidic chip 80 and/or the chip holder 104.The cartridge 168 may be formed from a polymer or other suitablebiocompatible material and each reservoir is contemplated to directlyhold fluids, or to hold bladders or other sealable containers filledwith fluids. A sample reservoir 114 may be a fluidically sealedreservoir in fluid communication with a sample channel 134 in the chipholder 104. The fluidic connection between the sample reservoir and thesample channel 134 may be performed in sterile conditions to prevent orreduce exposure of the sample to pathogens and bacteria. Similarly, asheath reservoir 116 may be fluidically connected to a sheath channel136 in the chip holder 104. Each of the reservoir may have an associatedtransport mechanism. As one example, fluid may be transported viapressure gradients created at each reservoir. The pressure gradients maybe created with pumps, peristaltic pumps, and other similar means.

A cut away portion of FIG. 7 illustrates the connection of the sheathchannel 136 and the sample channel 134 to their respective inlets and tothe first flow channel 18 a. While not illustrated, the remaining flowchannels 18 b through 18 n may have similar fluidic connections toreservoirs through the channels. In this manner, each flow channel 18 athrough 18 n may be supplied from a common sample reservoir 114 and froma common sheath reservoir 116 to facilitate the parallel operation ofmultiple channels in a microfluidic chip 80.

The cartridge 168 may contain additional reservoirs for processedfluids. As an example, the cartridge 168 may contain a passivecollection reservoir 120, a first active collection reservoir 122 and asecond active collection reservoir 124. The passive collection reservoir120 may be in fluid communication with the first outlet 20 of eachchannel 18 through a passive collection channel 140 where fluid poolsfrom each first outlet 20 and is fed through a passive collection line150. In one embodiment, the passive collection may be the defaultcollection and may include waste and/or undesirable particles.Similarly, the first active collection reservoir 122 may be fluidicallyconnected to the second outlet 22 of each flow channel 18 through afirst active collection channel 142 and a first active collection line152 and a second active collection reservoir 124 may be connected to thethird outlet 24 though a second active collection channel 144 and asecond active collection line 154. A second cut away illustrates therelationship between the third outlet 24 and the second activecollection channel 144, which will be similar for each flow channel 18.Fluids and sperm cells, whether actively or passively sorted, may bedrawn through each respective outlet, channel, line and reservoir by atransport mechanism, such as a pressure gradient.

As an illustrative example, the channels in the microfluidic chip 80 mayhave widths between about 20 μm and about 400 μm, while the channels inthe chip holder may have widths between about 200 μm and about 2 mm. Thelines connecting each channel to their respective reservoirs may haveinner diameters between about 0.25 mm and about 5 mm.

One embodiment provides an optional sheath fluid recycling system 160for recycling sheath fluid from the waste reservoir. FIG. 7 illustratesa recycling line 162 providing fluid communication from the passivecollection reservoir 120 to the sheath reservoir 116. A pump 164 may beprovided in the recycling line to drive fluid through a concentratingsystem 166, such as a filter, and on to the sheath reservoir 116.Alternatively, the passive collection reservoir 120 and the sheathreservoir 116 may be provided at differing pressures that tend to drivefluid from the passive collection reservoir 120 through the recyclingline 162 and to the sheath reservoir 116. Alternatively other transportmechanisms may be incorporated to convey fluid from one of thecollection reservoirs to the sheath reservoir 116. In one embodiment,the filter may be replaced by other cell concentrating systems 166, orby systems for removing fluid or supernatant. In one embodiment, aseries of filters may be used for conditioning sheath fluid asappropriate for a specific application, such as sperm sorting. Furthernon-limiting examples of sperm concentrating systems may includecentrifugation systems, microfluidic unites, porous membranes, spiralconcentrators, or hydrocyclones, or other particle concentrating devicesor fluid removing systems. In still another embodiment, the cellconcentrating system 166 may provide actively collected sperm in one orboth of the first 122 and second 124 active collection reservoirs at anappropriate concentration for further processing, while providingsupernatant sheath fluid back to the sheath reservoir 116. As oneexample sperm may be concentrated to an appropriate dosage for receivinga freezing extender, or sperm may be concentrated to an appropriatedosage for performing AI, IVF or another assisted reproductiveprocedures.

Yet another feature that may be present in some embodiments is atemperature regulating element 170. The cartridge 168 may performheating and/or cooling of any or all fluids stored thereon. For example,the temperature regulating element 170 may take the form of heatingand/or cooling pads or regions on the cartridge 168. Each chamber orreservoir of the cartridge 168 may be held at different temperatures orhave its temperature modified during operation. Any suitable means forcontrolling the temperature within a selected chamber or region of theunitary particle processing cartridge may be used. In a sperm sortingembodiment it may be desirable to maintain sperm at a relativelyconstant temperature, such as a cool temperature, as much as possible.It may further be desirable to cool sperm for the purpose of reducingsperm activity which may misalign and unoriented sperm. In such anembodiment the cartridge may be constructed from a thermally conductivematerial for easily maintaining each reservoir at similar, particularlychilled temperatures.

Sperm Orientation and Alignment

Referring briefly to FIG. 8 a spermatozoa 200 is illustrated in threeviews. While some variation exists between species, spermatozoa 200 isrepresentative of the basic shape of a significant portion of mammaliansperm, including bovine sperm, equine sperm, and porcine sperm. Thebasic sperm head shape may be referred to herein as a generally paddleshaped. As may readily be understood by those of skill in the art theprincipals described herein will be equally applicable to many otherspecies, such as many of the species listed in Mammal Species of theWorld, by Wilson, D. E. and Reeder, D. M., (Smithsonian InstitutionPress, 1993), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

The two largest portions of the sperm cell 200 are the sperm head 204and the sperm tail 206. The sperm head 204 houses the nuclear DNA towhich DNA selective dyes bind, which is advantageous for the purpose ofsex-sorting sperm. The sperm head 204 is generally paddle shaped, andhas a greater length than width. A longitudinal axis 212 is illustratedas an axis along the length of the sperm head 204 through its center,which may be generally parallel with the length of the sperm tail 206. Atransverse axis 214 is illustrated through the center of the sperm head204 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 212. Relative to an idealorientation, sperm which is rotated about the longitudinal axis may beconsidered “rotated” in manner synonymous with the aeronautical termroll, while sperm which is rotated about the transverse axis 214 may beconsidered “tilted” in a manner synonymous with the aeronautical termpitch. The length of the sperm head is indicated along the longitudinalaxis as L. The width of the sperm head 204 is indicated as W, while thethickness is indicated as T. By way of a non-limiting example, bovine ofmany breeds have sperm dimensions of approximately L=10 microns, W=5microns, and T=0.5 microns.

Differentiating sperm is difficult in many species because the uptake ofDNA selective dye differs only slightly in X-chromosome bearing spermand Y-chromosome bearing sperm. Most mammalian species demonstratebetween about 2% to 5% difference in DNA content. To precisely find thisdifference each sperm cell analyzed is preferably provided in a uniformalignment and in a uniform orientation. As sperm become unaligned orunoriented their measured fluorescence fluctuates much more than a fewpercentage points. Ideally, sperm would be aligned in that thelongitudinal axis would pass through the focal point of the detectorand/or the illumination source while the longitudinal axis and thetransverse axis both remain perpendicular to an optical axis of thedetector and/or a beam axis of a beam produced by an illuminationsource. Previous jet-in-air flow cytometers modified for sperm sortinginclude a side fluorescence detector for the purpose of excluding spermwhich is rotated, but side detectors are not present in microfluidicsystems, nor does the geometry of current microfluidic chips permit theinclusion of side detectors. The following features may be incorporatedindividually, or in any combination or permutation in order to provideoriented sperm in a microfluidic chip and/or to determine when sperm areoriented in a microfluidic chip.

Flow Channel Features

Turning now to FIG. 9A, a perspective view of a flow channel 318 isillustrated. The illustrated flow channel 318 includes both a fluidfocusing region 330 and a sperm orienting region 332 formed in a portionof a microfluidic chip 300. While the fluid focusing region 330 includesa fluid focusing feature in the form of a fluid focusing geometry and asperm orienting region 332 is illustrated with the orienting feature ofan orienting channel geometry, it should be appreciated other focusingfeatures and orienting features may be incorporated in place of, or inaddition to, the depicted geometries.

The flow channel 318 may be one of many flow channels in such amicrofluidic chip, such as between 4 and 512 flow channels. A sheathflow inlet 350 is illustrated upstream of the sample inlet 348 in theflow channel 318 for the purpose of establishing the coaxial flow,sometimes referred to as sheath flow.

The fluid focusing region 330 may include a vertical fluid focusingregion 336 with a geometry for focusing and/or aligning a verticalaspect of the core stream and a lateral fluid focusing region 334, ortransverse focusing region, with a geometry for focusing and/or aligninga lateral aspect of the core stream. As illustrated, the lateral fluidfocusing region 334 comprises the same length of the flow channel 318,as the fluid focusing region 330, both of which overlap the verticalfluid focusing region 336. It should be appreciated that the lateralfluid focusing region 334 may occupy less than the entire fluid focusingregion, and that the vertical fluid focusing region 336 need notnecessarily overlap with lateral fluid focusing region 334. The lateralfluid focusing region 334 may be considered the length of the flowchannel 318 along which a lateral channel width “w” decreases ending ata first transition point 338 to a second width “w′”. This geometry tendsto narrow the core stream of sample, and may generally assist in thealigning sperm cells within the flow channel 318 providing a narrowerband of sample in which they are generally confined.

A sperm orienting region 332 may follow the fluid focusing region 330some distance after the first transition point 338 in the flow channel318, or alternatively, the fluid focusing region 330 and the spermorienting regions 332 may overlap partially or entirely. The spermorienting region 332 may end at a second transition point 340, which maybe followed by an inspection region 326. In one embodiment, the channelreduced width “w′” may have a consistent dimension through the spermorientation region 332, or a portion of the sperm orientation region,and through the inspection region 326.

Turning to FIG. 9B, a vertical sectional view of the flow channel 318 isillustrated, having a lateral fluid focusing region 334 and a verticalfluid focusing region 336 followed by an sperm orienting region 332 andan inspection region 326. In one embodiment, the vertical fluid focusingregion 336 includes a vertical fluid focusing feature 342, which may bea supplemental sheath channel, a series of lips, edges, chevrons,undulations, or speed bumps, or a transducer capable of producingpressure pulses in the flow channel 318. In one embodiment a channel theheight “h” is maintained relatively constant up to the first transitionpoint 338. In other embodiments, the vertical fluid focusing region 336may have geometry which varies the channel height “h,” or the spermorientation region 332 may overlap with the fluid focusing region 330introducing a channel geometry which varies the channel height prior tothe first transition point 338. In one embodiment, the channel height“h” progresses from the first transition point 338 to a reduced channelheight “h′” at the second transition point 340. Alternatively, thechannel height “h” may be reduced through the sperm orienting region332. The sperm orienting region 332 may begin after the fluid focusingregion 330, or it may overlap partially, or even entirely with the fluidfocusing region 330.

FIG. 9C illustrates an alternative configuration for producing thecoaxial, or sheath, flow whereby the sample inlet 348 is provided ingenerally parallel with the fluid channel 318. In this configuration thesample inlet 348 may be provided in a beveled configuration to encouragea ribbon shape to the core stream at the onset. Those of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate any known configuration for establishingsheath flow in a microfluidic channel may also be incorporated with theorientation aspects described herein. As one non-limiting example, anyof the inlet/sample channels described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,476, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, may beincorporated with various features described herein.

FIGS. 10A-D illustrates a flow channel 318 with a relatively simplegeometry which incorporate both a fluid focusing region 330 and an spermorienting region 332; however, each of these regions may also beincorporated into more complex flow channel geometries. Each of FIGS.10A-D illustrate general principals and are not necessarily depicted toscale or reflect a 1:1 aspect ratio. FIG. 10A illustrates section AA asa generally square flow channel 318 filled with sheath fluid 352. Movingdown stream to section BB, FIG. 10B illustrates a core stream of sample354 is seen in coaxial relationship with the sheath fluid 352. A closerview of the core stream at BB illustrates an example of an unaligned andunoriented sperm cell 360. Arrows around the core stream illustrate theforces applied to the core stream by changes in the flow channel 318geometry. The transition from AA to BB resulted in a slight widening ofthe channel without a change in height.

Moving down stream to CC the width “w” of the flow channel 318 isreduced focusing the core stream, which is illustrated at the sperm cell360 moving to the center of the core stream and becoming aligned, whilemaintaining an unoriented position in the stream. The forces providingthe lateral movement are illustrated as bold arrows emphasizing thehydrodynamic influence of this portion of the channel geometry. Fromsection CC to DD the height “h” of the flow channel is reduced tendingto apply orienting forces to sperm within the core stream. Greaterforces are applied from vertical positions, as compared to laterpositions, tending to orient the flat surface of a sperm cell.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrates a similar flow channel geometry havingcircular and elliptical cross sections FIGS. 10A-10D, except that theflow channel 318 comprises generally elliptical and circular crosssections.

Core Stream Formation

While a uniform core stream formation is beneficial for many analysistechniques, it is especially useful when differentiating relativelysmall fluorescence differences from X-chromosome bearing sperm andY-chromosome bearing sperm. A useful feature of a sperm sorter would bethe formation of a core stream having a generally ribbon shape, whichmay contribute to both sperm alignment and sperm orientation in a flowchannel.

Turning now to FIG. 12A, a fluid focusing region 430 is incorporatedinto a region of the flow channel 418 for generating core stream flow,or sheath flow. The core stream forming geometry 400 is illustrated asan interior surface of a flow channel 418 in a microfluidic chip 80,such as those microfluidic chips previously described. The core streamforming geometry 400 may be fabricated in plastics, polycarbonate,glass, metals, or other suitable materials using microfabrication,injection molding, stamping, machining, 3D printing or by other suitablefabrication techniques. As such, the core stream forming geometry may beformed in a single layer, or by a plurality of stacked layers.

The illustrated core stream forming geometry 400 provides improvedsheath flow capabilities, and thus improved focusing capabilities. Inparticular, sheath inlets 450 may be provided with conical inlet shapeswhich are each received at a sheath aggregating volume 422. The sheathaggregating volumes may provide a single outlet, or multiple outlets tofurther flow channel 418 components. A single outlet is illustratedwhich extends into the fluid focusing region 430. Alternatively, asingle inlet may be branched into the core stream forming geometry 400.Additionally, flow restrictions may be placed on one or more fluidicpaths emanating from the sheath aggregating volume 422.

The depicted fluid focusing region 430 comprises a lateral fluidfocusing component and a vertical fluid focusing component, both ofwhich contribute to the axial acceleration of both sheath fluid andsample through the flow channel 418. The illustrated lateral fluidfocusing component comprises a lateral fluid focusing chamber 420. Thelateral fluid focusing chamber 420 is provided with sample from thesample inlet 448, as well as, sheath from one or more sheath inlets 450.As illustrated, two symmetric sheath inlets 450 fill the lateral fluidfocusing chamber 420 from the edges, while sample enters the lateralfluid focusing chamber 420 from the middle. As the sample and sheathprogress along the lateral fluid focusing chamber 420 the width of thechamber is reduced providing an increasing inwards force from thelateral sides of the chamber which tends to focus the sample in themiddle of the lateral fluid focusing chamber 420 and which acceleratesboth the sheath and the sample in the flow channel. The illustratedvertical fluid focusing component comprises a first vertical fluidfocusing channel 424 in combination with the position of the sampleinlet 448 relative to the lateral fluid focusing chamber 420. The firstvertical fluid focusing channel 424 may comprise a looping channel thatbranches away from the lateral fluid focusing chamber 420 and isprovided in fluid communication with the lateral fluid focusing chamber420 further downstream. In this manner, the first vertical fluidfocusing channel 424 provides a means for diverting a portion of sheathflow that may be reintroduced into the flow channel 418 at a later pointto focus the vertical position of the core stream of sample.

FIG. 12B provides an illustrative view of the lateral fluid focusingcomponent. A sample flow 406 is illustrated entering the lateralfocusing chamber 420 from the sample inlet 448. While sheath flow 408 isillustrated entering the lateral fluid focusing chamber 420 from eachsheath inlet 450 at the edge of the lateral fluid focusing chamber 420.As the width of the lateral fluid focusing chamber decreases, the sheathflow 408 provides an increasing shearing force on the sample 406, bothaccelerating the flow of the sample, spacing out particles in thesample, and laterally focusing the sample flow into the center of thelateral fluid focusing chamber 420.

The vertical flow of the sample 408 is influenced by two features of thecore stream forming geometry 400, which can be best seen in FIG. 13.FIG. 13 represents a vertical cross-section along a longitudinal axis ofthe core stream forming geometry 400. A first downwards verticalinfluence on the sample stream is created upon entry into the lateralfluid focusing chamber 420, because the sample is introduced from underthe lateral fluid focusing region 420, so that its upward flow will beresisted by the sheath flow 408 above it. A representative sample flow406 is illustrated reaching the end of the sample inlet 448 and movingupwards against a sheath flow 408. Once the core stream of sample 406reaches the first fluid vertical focusing channel 424, sheath flow 408directs the sample upwards focusing the sample away from the bottom ofthe flow channel 418.

Once subjected to the focusing region 430, the sample may continuethrough a sperm orienting region 330, and an inspection region 326. Thesperm may be oriented according to specific features in the followingdescription and a sort action may be performed according to variousmechanism described previously.

Turning to FIG. 14A, an alternative core stream forming geometry 500 isillustrated which incorporates a fluid focusing region 530 whichincludes a double horseshoe or double loop in the form of a first andsecond vertical fluid focusing channels. One embodiment relates to acore stream forming geometry 500 having a first vertical fluid focusingchannel 524 and second vertical fluid focusing channel 526 configuredcontribute opposing vertical fluid focusing sheath flows into a flowchannel 518 for an improved core stream formation. FIG. 14A depicts asample inlet 548 positioned at the same vertical level as the sheathinlet 550 leading in to a lateral fluid focusing chamber 520. The firstvertical fluid focusing channel 524 runs vertically above the lateralfluid focusing channel 520 and the second vertical fluid focusingchannel 526 runs vertically below the lateral fluid focusing channel520. After being subjected to the focusing features of the lateralfocusing chamber 520, the first vertical focusing channel 524 and thesecond vertical focusing channel 526, a more focused and/or aligned corestream may flow through the remainder of the flow channel 560.

Referring to FIG. 14B, sheath flow is illustrated through the sheathinlet and divided into three parts. A first sheath flow 554 enters thelateral fluid focusing chamber 520, and in response to the narrowingwidth tends to focus the sample in the center of the lateral fluidfocusing channel 520. A second portion of sheath flow 556 is divertedthrough the first vertical fluid focusing channel 524 and a thirdportion of sheath flow 558 is directed through the second vertical fluidfocusing channel 526. A sheath aggregating volume 522 which provides agreater cross sectional area than the end of the conical sheath inlet550 provides a beneficial volume for distributing relatively high sheathflow rates through each of the sheath portions. In particular increasedsheath flow through the first vertical focusing channel 524 and thesecond vertical focusing channel 526 may provide for an improved abilityto focus the vertical position of a core stream in a flow channel 518.

Turning now to FIG. 15, a vertical cross-section along a longitudinalaxis of the core stream forming geometry 500 illustrates a core streamof sample 506 and a sheath fluid 508 introduced into the flow channel518 at substantially the same vertical position. Sheath flow 508 fromthe first vertical fluid focusing channel 524 provides a downwardfocusing influence on the core stream of sample, followed by an upwardfocusing influence from sheath fluid provided from the second verticalfluid focusing channel 526. The portion of the flow channel 518following the opposing vertical sheath flows is at an elevated verticalposition relative to the lateral fluid focusing chamber 520 and thesample inlet 548. The portion of the flow channel 518 following thefocusing region may then be manipulated in a region design to impartorientation to particles in the core stream of sample.

FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the core stream forminggeometry 600, which presents substantially the same vertical crosssection depicted in FIG. 15. There may be certain efficiencies gained inseveral stream lined aspects relating to the sheath fluid flow pathsillustrated in FIG. 16. In one aspect sheath fluid passes through fromthe each sheath aggregating volume 622 into focused inlet 632 whichimmediately puts the sheath fluid into a trajectory for laterallyfocusing the core stream of sample fluid 606. Each of the first verticalfluid focusing channel 624 and the second vertical fluid focusingchannel 626 are also streamline with a common inlet 630.

FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment of the core stream forminggeometry 700, having streamlined sheath flow components, such as anarrow inlet 732 and the common inlet 730 connected directly to thesheath aggregating volume 722 of each sheath inlet 750. Additionally,FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative vertical placement of some portionsof each of the first vertical fluid focusing channel 724 and the secondvertical fluid focusing channel 726.

Orientation with a Planar Flow Channel

Turning to FIG. 18A, one embodiment of an orienting channel geometry isillustrated whereby the flow channel 818 transitions to a reducedheight, which may generally be referred to as a planar orientinggeometry 838. Such an orienting geometry may encompass both anorientation region 832 and an inspection region 826. The planarorienting geometry may follow any of the above described fluid focusinggeometries or features, such as any one of the described core streamforming geometries.

Prior to the planar orienting channel geometry 832, the flow channel 818may have a height between about 25 microns and 75 microns and a widthbetween about 100 microns and about 300 microns. The height “h” prior tothe orienting channel geometry 832 may be reduced to a second height“h′” over a length L. The reduced height “h′” may be between about 10microns and 35 microns for producing a core stream which approaches 1 to0.5 microns in the narrow axis, or which approaches the thickness of asperm cell. FIG. 18A illustrates a gradual transition where the lengthof the transition “L” may be between about 200 microns and about 5000microns. Prior to the transition the flow channel 818 may have a widthto height ratio between about 4:1 and 5:1, and after the transition thewidth to height ratio may be about 8:1 and 10:1.

Immediately following any focusing geometry, the flow channel 818 mayhave a generally rectangular shape, or to adjacent edges may be roundedresulting in a “D” shaped profile, seen in the transverse sectional ofFIG. 18B. The beginning profile is indicated in hidden lines providing acomparison of the two profiles.

FIG. 18C illustrates a sudden transition right before the inspectionregion 826, which may have a transition length “L” between about 25microns and about 200 microns. In one embodiment, there may be are-expansion 842 immediately following the inspection region 826. Thecombination of the short transition and the re-expansion may provide fora system which requires less pressure to drive cells though, or whichreduces the back pressure of the system.

Orientation in a Nozzle Mimicking Geometry

With reference to FIGS. 19A-19C, one embodiment of a flow channel 918 isprovided with an orienting geometry that mimics an orienting nozzle of ajet-in-air flow cytometer. In such an embodiment, the fluid focusingfeatures and the sperm orienting features may overlap and in fact beincorporated into a common geometry. A flow channel 918 is provided influid communication with a first sheath inlet 950 a and a second sheathinlet 950 b, each of which feed into an orienting chamber 930. Theorienting chamber 930 may comprise an internal surface area which mimicsthe interior of a nozzle. A sample inlet 948 is fed through an injectiontube 910 through an injection tube outlet 914 into the orienting chamber930. The orienting chamber 930 may have a generally ellipticalcross-section at its most upstream point, but it also may be circular orrectangular. Regardless of the height of the orientation chamber may beabout 1000 microns. The interior surface of the orienting chamber maytransition over 5000 microns to a generally elliptical, or even a “D”shaped channel having a height of 50 microns and a width of 200 microns.The injection tube 910, may extend about 3000 microns into the orientingchamber and may have one or both or internal and external featuresprovide a ribbon core stream and orienting particles, such as sperm,within the core stream. As one example, the injection tube may have abeveled tip. As another example, the injection tube may have anelliptical or even rectangular internal channel ending at the injectiontube outlet. The injection tube 910 may have an external thickness ofabout 300 microns. As a non-limiting example the internal channel mayhave a height of about 100 microns and a width of about 200 microns.

Downstream Channel Features

Various downstream features may be incorporate into a flow channel incombination with any of the orienting or focusing features previouslydiscussed. Such features may provide a biasing force which tends toorient or align particles. In one embodiment, downstream channelfeatures may be the primary, or even the only, sperm orienting featuresin a flow channel. In such an embodiment, downstream channel featuresprovide sufficient orientation for anyalsis and sorting. In anotherembodiment, the downstream channel features are used in combination withother focusing features and/or orienting features and may serve torealign or reoriented sperm which has started to become unaligned orunoriented, respectively. The downstream channel features may also beprovided just prior to an inspection region for the purpose of obtainingoptimum effectiveness in orienting particles, such as sperm cells.

Turning to FIG. 20A, a downstream channel feature is illustrated in theform of a ramp 1002, which may be in a portion of a flow channel 1018.The ramp 1002 may present a relatively abrupt reduction in the height ofthe flow channel, as described with respect to FIGS. 18A-C. The ramp1002 may be designed in order to present a core stream which has athickness only slightly larger than the thickness of a sperm cell. Aramp 1002 having an incline less than 45 degrees may be considered agently ramp, whereas a ramp having an incline between 45 degrees and 90degrees may be considered an abrupt ramp.

FIG. 20A provides an example of an excitation region 26 which overlapswith the downstream channel feature. The ramp 1002 is illustrated on atleast two surfaces on the interior of the flow channel, and may endshortly after the inspection region 26 in order to reduce backpressureand to allow fluid to flow more easily through the system.

FIG. 20B provides a downstream channel feature in the form of a ramp1002 followed by an expansion 1004, which may be called a speed bumps.These speed bumps may be placed in series to focus a core stream justprior to the inspection region as well as for orienting sperm in thecore stream. In one embodiment, speed bumps or series of speed bumps arepresent on single surface of the flow channel 18, while in anotherembodiment speed bumps or series of speed bumps may be present on morethan one surface of the flow channel 18. In a related embodiment, asingle speed bump may have rounded edges and may be referred to as anundulation. Similarly, a series of rounded speed bumps may be referredto as a series of undulations. An undulation or a series of undulationsmay be present on a single surface, or may be present on multiplesurfaces in a flow channel 18. The speed bumps and/or undulations mayextend between about 5 microns and 15 microns into the flow channel 18.

FIG. 20C illustrates a downstream channel feature in the form of adecompression-compression zone 1006, which may also be considered aninverse speed bump. Flow is illustrated entering the zone where itinitially disperses at the widening of the channel. As the flowcontinues, it is recompressed at the abrupt end of the widened region.While the depicted embodiment provides for edges, the surfaces may besmooth resulting in another embodiment of undulations. These featuresmay extend between about 5 microns and 15 microns into the flow channel.

FIG. 20D illustrates a series of chevron shaped features 1008 which maybe placed in the flow channel 18. The series of chevron shaped features1008 provide series of forces which may tended to focus the core stream.The chevron shaped features 1008 may comprise a cut away feature onthree sides of a flow channels. In one embodiment the chevron shapedfeatures 1008 may be tilted or slanted. The chevron shaped features 1008may also have rounded edges for subjecting the core stream to a seriesof undulations. Like the reverse speed bumps, the chevrons may extendbetween about 5 microns and 15 microns into the flow channel 18.

Sperm Alignment/Orientation with Magnets

Turning to FIG. 21A, an embodiment of sperm orienting features aredepicted as a first magnet 192A and a second magnet 192B which areutilized to provide a magnetic field B to the desired orientation ofsperm cells. The first magnet 192A may be located in a vertical positionabove a flow channel and the second magnet 192B may be located inparallel below the flow channel to produce a static magnetic field Bwhich acts upon sperm moving through the flow channel. The magnets maybe placed in other orientations so long as the magnetic field isperpendicular to the sperm cells, which have been shown to align withtheir planar dimension perpendicular to the applied field. In certainembodiments, it may be desirable to produce a magnetic field strongenough to orient sperm in as many as 512 channels. One or more series ofmagnets may be used in combination to produce this static magneticfield. In one non-limiting embodiment, the magnets 192 may be arrangedto generate a field between about 0.05 Tesla to about 1.0 Tesla.

Sperm Alignment/Orientation with Transducers

In an alternative embodiment, a transducer or a series of transducersmay be placed across one or more flow channels on the exterior of amicrofluidic chip. An example of a transducer may be a piezoelectrictransducer having a generally planar surface 194 in contact with anexterior surface of the microfluidic chip. Said transducers may bedriven to produce a standing wave in the flow channel. Sperm may bedriven to nodes and antinodes of the standing wave resulting in both analignment, and possible orientation of sperm in the flow channel.

In some embodiments, a standing wave may be produced with a planartransducer in addition to other orienting or aligning features. Forexample, the a standing wave may be produced in the flow channel for thepurpose of spacing and aligning sperm, while a magnetic field may beapplied to the flow channel to orient sperm. As a non-limiting example,it has been surprisingly found a planer transducer operating between10-16 MHz may improve sperm orientation while flowing in a flow channel.

Measuring Sperm Properties

Regardless of the orienting and focusing features employed in each flowchannel a great deal of precision is required in illuminating sperm anddetecting emitted or reflected electromagnetic radiation fromilluminated sperm. Sperm are living, motile cells which may beerratically propelled by motion from their tail. As such, even withgreat care in aligning and orienting sperm in a flow channel, therealways exists the potential for a number of sperm to become unorientedor to resists orientation forces altogether. Previous efforts may haveconsidered the possibility of illuminating sperm head on, or from allsides. However, such configurations are inapplicable to multiple flowchannels in a single chip as each channel requires a considerable amountof space for both collection optics and illumination optics, includingreflective surface and/or refractive lenses.

Illumination

In previous jet-in-air flow cytometers, each nozzle or stream tends tobe monitored separately for performance and sort characteristics.However, in a microfluidic chip having 4 to 512 flow channels it isdesirable to pool certain data for data tracking and display purposes.Because the variation in fluorescence produced in stained sperm isminimal, variations in the illumination of each the flow channels shouldbe reduced or eliminated. A system like that described in U.S. Pat. No.7,492,522, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference, may be employed for providing uniform illumination across aplurality of flow channels 18.

Referring briefly back to FIG. 1, an electromagnetic radiation source 30is illustrated which may be a quasi-continuous wave laser such as aVanguard 355-350 or a Vanguard 355-2500 model laser available fromNewport Spectra Physics (Irvine, Calif.). Electromagnetic radiation 46emitted from the electromagnetic radiation source 30 may be manipulatedby beam shaping optics 40 and/or a beam splitting device 74 in freespace to produce one or more manipulated beam(s) 44, sometimes referredto as beam segments or beamlets. These beamlets may take the form of oneor more beams altered to provide uniform intensity, power, and/orgeometry to a plurality of flow channels.

A configuration to achieve uniform beam segments may include beamshaping optics 40 in free space for shaping electromagnetic radiationfrom the electromagnetic radiation source 30 into a highly uniformprofile in one or more axes, such as a “top-hat” or “flat top” beamprofile. As but one example, the beam profile may have a uniformintensity in one or more axes or may have a Gaussian intensitydistribution in one or more axes. In one embodiment a top-hat profilebeam may be split into multiple beam segments according to the number offlow channels in the microfluidic chip. A segmented mirror, or anotherdevice for spatially separating segments of the beam, may follow theinitial beam shaping optics for projecting multiple beam segments on theflow channels of the fluidic chip. The resulting beam segments may besubstantially parallel and spaced according to the spacing of the flowchannels.

In an alternative embodiment, the beam shaping optics may provide thebeam with a final beam intensity profile, and the beam intensity maysubsequently be divided by beam splitting mirrors or other suitableoptical beam splitting devices, into multiple beams, or beam segmentshaving uniform dimensions. As one example, an array of beam splittingmirrors, such as micro array of beam splitting mirrors may be employed.In a chip that approaches 256 to 512 flow channels, a combination ofbeam splitting elements may be used. For example a beam may be splitinto several beam segments, for example four to eight, by conventionalbeam splitting mirrors such that the original beam profile is maintainedin each beam segment at a fraction of the original beam intensity. Eachbeam segment, once so formed, may be split by a segmented mirror toilluminate each flow channel in the microfluidic chip.

Additionally, in an alternative embodiment, blocking or masking elementsmay be placed in the beam path of each beam segment. The blocking ormasking elements may be unique to each flow path, or may be shaped tohelp ascertain specific information regarding particle velocity in theflow path, particle alignment in the flow path, or even particleorientation in the flow path. Such elements may be located in free spaceor may be incorporated on the substrate of a microfluidic chip 80.

Detection

Referring now to FIG. 22, an example of collection optics 54, or aportion of the collection optics, is illustrated for use in varioussystems described herein. A representative manipulated beam ofelectromagnetic radiation 44 may be incident upon the inspection zone 26of the microfluidic chip 80 at a direction normal to the flow channel.Emitted electromagnetic radiation 52 in the form of forward fluorescenceis illustrated emanating from the particle, which may be a sperm cell12.

The collection optics 54 may be placed in the beam path of themanipulated beam of electromagnetic radiation, or at 0 degree positionwith respect to the excitation beam 44. The collection optics 54 mayinclude a high numerical aperture collection lens 126 for the focusedcollection of reflected and/or emitted light in the inspection region 26of each flow channel 18. An objective lens 140, or multiple objectivelenses, may focus the collected emitted and/or reflected light onto animage plane 182 that is incident on a surface mounting an array of fiberoptic cables 188 having a fiber optic cable 186 configured for aninspection region 26 of each flow channel 18. In one embodiment, theobjective lens 140 may comprise a large objective lens or a series oflens capable of fluorescence emissions from a large chip area onto aplurality of respective detectors, or fibers in communication withdetectors. As a non-limiting example, the collection optics 54 maycomprise a large area, low f-number optical system configured to collectfrom an area having a length or width between about 25 mm and 75 mm andhaving an f-number within a range of about 0.9 and 1.2 and configuredfor a working distance of about 10 mm and 30 mm. Alternatively, one ormore microlenses or microlens arrays could also be used to collectemitted fluorescence from multiple flow channels.

FIG. 23 illustrates an optical arrangement 190, such as an array offiber optic cables that may be used for capturing forward or sidefluorescence from a series of parallel flow channels 18 in amicrofluidic chip 80. Such an optical arrangement may be used for thecollection of side fluorescence in addition to the collection optics ofFIG. 22. Alternatively, the optical arrangement 190 may be positioned inthe forward position, or at 0 degrees, to directly collect forwardfluorescence from each flow channel 18. In an illustrative embodiment,each first detector in the array of first detectors and each seconddetector in an array of second detectors may be side fluorescencedetectors. In sperm sorting operations, these detectors may function todetermine when sperm or unoriented, whether they are unoriented due torotation, or due to tilt.

FIG. 24A provides an example of a detection scheme incorporating thecollection optics 54 for detecting a forward fluorescence in addition toa first side detector 176 collecting side fluorescence at about a 45degree angle and a second side detector 178 collecting side fluorescenceat 45 degrees in the opposite direction. The first side detector 176 andthe second side detector 178 may be characterized as having a 90 degreeangle between the optical axis of each.

In addition to the schematic of the detection scheme illustrated in FIG.24A, FIGS. 24A-E, provide various sperm orientations within a flowchannel 18, in addition to the waveform pulses that may be generated byeach of the forward detector 54, the first side detector 176 and thesecond side detector 178 associated with the inspection region 26 ofeach flow channel. These waveform pulses may be determined in theanalyzer, and characteristics or features of the waveform pulses may becalculated for use in a sorting logic applied by the analyzer 58.Generally, it should be appreciated that a detector with an optical axisnormal to the flat paddle shaped surface of sperm will provide themaximum possible signal, while a detector than an optical axis which isparallel to the planar surface will effectively be looking at the narrowedge of a sperm head and may generate a significantly lower signal.

FIG. 24A provides an example of a sperm cell 12 in a flow channelwithout rotation or tilt, allowing the forward fluorescence signal tocapture a maximum pulse height and pulse area for direct comparison toother waveform pulses representing other sperm cells. The waveformpulses generated by the first side detector 176 and the second sidedetector 178 can be seen as substantially similar to each other.

Turning to FIG. 24B a tilted sperm cell 12 has about a 45 degreedownward tilt presenting the first side detector 176 within a normalfluorescence and presenting the second side detector 178 with the edgeof the sperm. Under certain circumstance the edge of the sperm mayfluoresce very brightly, but more briefly that it would in otherorientations. The waveform pulse produced by the first side detector 176will have a, peak height, peak area, and peak width which may becompared to the waveform pulse produced by the second side detector 178,as well as the waveform pulse produced from the forward detector 54.

Similarly, FIG. 24C provides an example of a sperm head which is tiltedupwards 45 degrees presenting the first side detector 176 with onefluorescence and the second side detector 178 with a normalfluorescence. Again a significant difference may exist in the pulseheight, pulse width and pulse area of the resulting waveform pulses fromthe side detectors. Thus, measured waveform pulse parameters may beanalyzed to determine when sperm cells are tilted during detection.Differences in waveform pulse height, area, width, may be compared todetermine disparities. When disparities exceed a threshold, it may bedetermined a sperm cell was not aligned well enough to accuratelydifferentiate the presence of X-chromosome bearing sperm or Y-chromosomebearing sperm. Additional parameters may also be determined forcomparison, such as a pulse slope, rise time, and inner pulse area.

FIG. 24D illustrates a sperm cell which is tilted 90 degrees. In thisevent, the waveform pulses produced by the first side detector and thesecond side detector may be very similar. The waveform pulse produced bythe forward detector should vary drastically, for example the pulsewidth, rise time and area may be distinguishable from sperm in a properorientation.

FIG. 24E illustrates a sperm cell which is rotated about itslongitudinal axis. The curvature of a sperm head may provide the firstside detector and the second side detector with similar signals, but anoffset or lag may exist between the times each waveform peaks.Therefore, a rise time, slope or peak lag may be calculated between thetwo signals to determine when cells.

In many embodiments described herein features and geometries areemployed that attempt to orient sperm for both tilt and rotation.However, some percentage of sperm will fail to become orientedregardless. Despite the described orienting features, some sperm may besent into a tumbling state within the flow channel. Such sperm mightexhibit a high propensity to become unoriented in terms of tilt androtation. Therefore, while rotation itself may be more difficult todetect in a microfluidic chip, any described means for detecting tiltmay also aid in eliminating rotated sperm from gating for sex sorting.

As can easily be understood from the foregoing, a true side fluorescencevalue, or alternatively side scatter, have not been measured in multipleflow channels of a microfluidic chip previously. In the field of spermsorting, such a measured side fluorescence would provide valuableinformation regarding sperm orientation.

FIG. 25A illustrates a microfluidic chip 1080 configuration providingthe ability to measure both forward fluorescence 1052 and a sidefluorescence 1058 in a flow channel 1018, or in each of multiple flowchannels. A cross sectional view of a portion of a microfluidic chip1080 is provided whereby flow in the flow channel 1018 may be understoodto be in the outward direction. The dimensions of the flow channel 1018may be overemphasized for clarity.

A reflective element, in the form of a reflective surface 1010 may beassociated with each flow channel 1018, for the purpose of reflecting aside fluorescence 1058, or side scatter, to a position where it can bedetected. It should be appreciated that a refractive element may be usedin place of, or in combination with, the reflective surface 1010. As oneexample, the microfluidic chip substrate may be constructed frommultiple materials having different refractive indexes to achieve adesired reflection and/or refraction of light in a particular path, suchas forward fluorescence or side fluorescence. In one embodiment, areflective surface 1010 a is associated with flow channel 1018 a byplacement substantially in parallel along the inspection region of theflow channel 1018 a at about 45 degree angle. A side fluorescence 1058 ais illustrated emitting from a sperm cell 1012 being excited withelectromagnetic radiation 1044 a. The side fluoresce travels untilreaching the reflective surface 1010 a, at which point the sidefluorescence is redirected to be substantially parallel with the forwardfluorescence signal 1052 a. As can easily be understood, the reflectivesurfaces 1010 may be provided at other angles for collecting sidefluorescence in manner other than in parallel with the forwardfluorescence 1052.

The depicted system may include collection optics 54, like thosepreviously described, including a large, single collection lens wherebyeach of forward fluorescence and side fluorescence are projected onto animage plane coincident with fiber cables is in communication with afluorescence detector. The side fluorescence detector may besubstantially identical to the forward fluorescence detector, the onlydifference may be in the execution of instructions stored in theanalyzer 58. Alternatively, detections schemes like those depicted inFIGS. 26A-D may also be used.

A second flow channel 1018 b is depicted producing a second forwardfluorescence 1052 b and a second side fluorescence 1058 b, however, suchan embodiment may include between 4 and 512 flow channels. In oneembodiment, each set of flow channels 1018 and their associatedreflective surface 1010 may be separated from other sets by a blockingelement 1026 which prevents cross talk between the flow channels 1018.

FIG. 25B illustrates a variation of the reflective surface 1110, whichis formed by cutting away a portion of the substrate forming themicrofluidic chip 1180. The cut away portion 1112 may have a proximalsurface 1114 and a distal surface 1116 relative to the flow channel1118. The proximal surface may comprises the reflective surfaceassociated with the flow channel 1118, and may be capable of totalinternal reflection to a difference in the refractive index. Like theprevious figure a blocking element may optionally be added between eachset of channels and their associated reflective surface.

Turning to FIG. 25C, each flow channel 1218 is associated with a firstreflective surface 1220 and a second reflective surface 1222. Eachreflective surface may be provided at about 45 degrees thereby providinga −90 side fluorescence 1254 and a +90 side fluorescence 1256 inparallel with the forward fluorescence 1252. Like the previous Figure, adifference in the refractive index of the materials provides a totalinternal reflective surface thereby producing a forward fluorescence andtwo side fluorescence light paths in response to particles excited withelectromagnetic radiation 1244. Such an embodiment may require ablocking element to prevent cross talk between channels.

FIG. 25D illustrates an embodiment where the internal reflective surfaceis provided in one or more sidewalls of the flow channel 1318 itself.The first flow channel 1318 a is illustrated with a first reflectivesidewall 1320 a and a second reflective sidewall 1322 a. However, itshould be appreciated, that microfluidic chip may be fabricated so thatonly the first sidewall has reflective properties. Alternatively, bothside walls may have reflective properties, but a detection system may beemployed which only detects one of the +90 side fluorescence or −90 sidefluorescence. In either event, a blocking element 1326 may beincorporated between the flow channels in order to prevent cross talkbetween the channels. In one embodiment, the refractive properties ofvarious chip substrates may be altered at different locations in thechip to achieve the desired reflection and/or refraction. For example, amiddle layer of the substrate, which coincides with the surfaces 1320and 1322 may comprise a material having a different refractive index ascompared to a top and bottom layer of the substrate.

Various detection systems may be employed to detect the parallel forwardfluorescence and side fluorescence produced by the chips of FIGS. 25A-D.In one embodiment, a single large collection lens is incorporated forfocusing each onto an image plane incident to an array of fiber opticspreviously described. Such an embodiment may require twice as manydetectors.

An alternative detection system for collecting a forward 1452 and a sidefluorescence 1456 from each channel 1418 is depicted in FIG. 26A. Thedepicted microfluidic chip 1480 produce includes a reflective surface1410 associated with each flow channel 1418 which provides a forwardlight path and a side light path in response to an excitationelectromagnetic radiation 1444. An array of lenses 1430, such as anarray of microlenses, may be aligned with the microfluidic chip 1480 forcollecting light from each of the forward and side light paths. Thearray of microlenses 1430 can include a forward collection lens 1440 aand a side collection lens 1442 a for the first flow channel 1418 a.Each forward collection lens 1440 and side collection lens 1442 may beconfigured to focus the collected electromagnetic radiation, whetherfluorescence or scatter, onto a forward detector 1446 a and a sidedetector 1448 a, respectively. Alternatively, the array of lenses 1430focus collected electromagnetic onto an array of fiber optic cables incommunication with individual detectors.

FIG. 26B illustrates an alternative embodiment including a fiber array1520, similar to the array depicted in FIG. 23, which incorporates twicethe number of fiber cables for collecting a forward fluorescence 1552and a side fluorescence 1558 produced by an excitation electromagneticradiation 1544 and a reflective surface 1510 associated with each flowchannel 1518. Similarly, FIG. 26C provides a detector array 1650 inclose proximity to the microfluidic chip 1680, whereby each flow channel1618 has an associated reflective surface 1610, so that each excitationelectromagnetic radiation 1644 may produce a forward and sidefluorescence. A forward detector 1646 and a side detector 1684 areprovided in the detector array 1650 for each flow channel 1618.

In an alternative embodiment, the detectors, or a fiber array, may beplaced in an epi-illumination relationship with the excitation beam.FIG. 26D illustrates a microfluidic chip 1780, having a flow channel1718 and an associated reflective surface 1710 angled to reflect sidefluorescence, or scatter, in the direction from which the excitationbeam was received where it may be received by a side detector 1748, or afiber cable in communication with a side detector 1748. A dichroicmirror 1726 may be placed for each channel to direct an excitation beam1744 towards the flow channel 1718, while emitted fluorescence from thecell in the back direction 1758 may pass through the dichroic mirror1726 to a back detector 1746, or to a fiber cable in communication witha back detector 1746. The depicted example provides an internalreflective surface 1710, which may direct a side fluorescence 1756 tothe side detector.

It can be readily seen, various potential solutions to the issue ofsperm orientation in a plurality of parallel flow channel in a chip mayadd levels of complexity to the channel geometry, the collection optics,and/or to the required detector configuration.

Turning to FIG. 27, a potential solution exists whereby the additionaldetectors may be eliminated by the inclusion of masks, or a partialtransmission blocking element. In particular, a first detection mask1820 and a second detection mask 1830 may be placed in the path of theforward fluorescence 1852 and the side fluorescence 1856 respectively.Each mask may be placed in free space, may be coupled to the substrateof the chip, or may be coupled to another optical element in the path ofthe fluorescence. The optical path through the first detection mask 1820and through the second detection mask 1830 may ultimately arrive at thesame detector 1840, which in turn produces a waveform pulse representinginformation from both the forward fluorescence and the sidefluorescence. The masks may be configured, for mutually exclusivetransmission, such that the waveform pulse generated by the detectorinclude segments directly attributed to the forward fluorescence andportions and segments directly attributed to the side fluorescence.Alternatively, the first detection mask 1820 and the second detectionmask 1830 may overlap to some extent without unduly causing errors inmeasurements since an analyzer may be used to deconvolve signals.

An analyzer may deconvolve each signal from the single waveform pulse,thereby providing forward fluorescence and side fluorescence informationfrom a single detector. Alternatively, more complex masks may beincorporated into each light path and the detector may receive signalsfrom more than one flow channel, whereby each flow channel comprises aunique signature pattern in each associated mask.

FIG. 28A provides another embodiment of a detection scheme which may beincorporated with various other features described herein. Theillustrated detection scheme eliminates the need for detecting a sidefluorescence altogether and may be incorporated with each of between 4and 512 flow channels in a microfluidic chip 1980. A sperm cell 1912 isillustrated at the inspection region of a flow channel 1918, beinginterrogated by a beam of electromagnetic radiation 1944. The excitationbeam and a forward fluorescence carry forward in the path of theexcitation beam through the microfluidic chip 1980 and encounter adichroic mirror 1924 may reflect one of the two, since each are at adifferent wavelength. As one example, the electromagnetic radiation 1944may be produced by a laser operated at a UV wavelength and may passthrough the dichroic mirror 1924 and on to an absorption/extinctiondetector 1962. The transmitted portion of the electromagnetic radiation1960 may be utilized for a variety of purposes. Theabsorption/extinction detector 1962 may be configured to effectivelymonitor the flow channel for the presence of cells, when a cells passesthrough the excitation beam 1944, the intensity of the transmittedportion 1960 that is received by the absorption/extinction detector 1962is greatly reduced. Beyond the mere presence of a cell, the amount bywhich the fluorescence is extinguished may provide a quantifiablemeasurement for determining whether a passing sperm cell is in a desiredorientation.

Simultaneously, a reflected forward fluorescence 1952 is incident upon aforward fluorescence detector 1946, which may be utilized to measure theDNA content of passing sperm cells 1912. FIG. 28B illustrates arepresentative signal produced by an extinction/absorption detector. Abaseline 1940 can be seen which indicates the full power of thetransmitted portion 1960 of the excitation beam is incident upon theabsorption/extinction detector 1962. It should be noted theabsorption/extinction detector 1962, or optics in the light path leadingto the detector, may include a neutral density filter, or some otheroptical device for reducing the actual laser power seen by theabsorption/extinction detector 1962. In either case, a baseline isestablished which reflects the time at which no sperm is passing throughthe excitation beam. A waveform pulse 1950 can be seen which representsan oriented sperm cell passing through the beam followed by a lesspronounced waveform pulse representative of an unoriented sperm cell1960.

Waveform characteristics from signals produced by the extinctiondetector 1962 may be calculated in order to determine which pulsescharacterize oriented sperm cells and which pulses characterizeunoriented sperm cells. Pulse peak, pulse area, or even a pulse innerarea, which may represent the some fraction of the pulse area centeredaround the pulse peak, may individually, or in combination provide adetermination regarding sperm orientation.

FIG. 28B also illustrates a fluorescence signal from the detector 1946,the signal is illustrated having a first waveform pulse 1970corresponding to the oriented sperm cell and a second waveform pulse1980 corresponding to the unoriented sperm cell. When a sperm cell isdetermined to be oriented according to the extinction signal, thefluorescence signal may then be analyzed for pulse peak pulse area,pulse area, and/or other waveform characteristics in order to quantifythe relative amount of DNA in the sperm cells for determining thepresence of an X-chromosome or a Y-chromosome.

FIG. 29A-D illustrates another potential configuration which eliminatesboth the need for side fluorescence detection and the need for a seconddetector. FIG. 29A generally depicts vertical sectional view amicrofluidic chip 2080, having a flow channel 2018 in which anexcitation beam 2044 is schematically illustrated causing sperm producea forward fluorescence 2052 that passes through a mask 2020 and on to adetector 2054.

A view from above the microfluidic chip illustrated in FIG. 29Billustrates two distinct regions in the mask 2020. An oriented spermcell 2012 is depicted traveling through the flow channel 2018 in routeto the mask 2020. The signals produced by each distinct mask region passthrough to the same detector 2054 and may provide a series of waveformpulses. The signal generated by the detector 2054 at this window may beseen in FIG. 29B for the instance of oriented sperm 2014 and unorientedsperm 2016.

The first mask region 2022 may be the DNA content measuring portion ofthe mask 2020 and may comprise a single aperture 2030 that is at leastas wide as the sperm being measured, and at least as long as the spermhead. A peak height and peak area may be determined from the firstwaveform pulse 2002A in order to differentiate X-chromosome bearingsperm from Y-chromosome bearing sperm, whereas the first waveform pulse2002B of an unoriented sperm 2016, may be excluded from classificationaccording to a sort logic.

The second mask region 2024 may comprise multiple openings. In oneembodiment, several spaced pairs of opening may be sequentially locatedalong the flow path 2018. Each pair of openings may have a differenttransverse position, although there may also be some overlap. In oneembodiment, the spaced opening may be 1 to 10 microns wide, althoughsmaller and larger widths may also be used. The first spaced pair ofopenings 2026 are illustrated as the furthest apart. Consequently,oriented sperm 2014 will tend to fluoresce well enough through bothopenings to produce a second waveform pulse 2004A, while unorientedsperm 2016 may produce a pulse of half the intensity, but likely willnot produce any waveform pulse.

A second pair of openings 2028 is illustrated slightly furtherdownstream and spaced more closely together. Oriented sperm 2014 willfluorescence through both openings in the mask to produce a thirdwaveform pulse 2006A. Depending on the degree of misorientation, anunoriented sperm 2016 may produce some fluorescence at this portion ofthe mask, but the illustrative example provides an edge to the detector,and still no waveform pulse is generated. A final opening 2032 in thesecond region 2024 is illustrated in the center of the flow path 2018.Again, oriented sperm 2014 may produce a fourth waveform pulse 2008A.Even unoriented sperm 2016 having an edge facing the mask may produce afourth waveform pulse 2008B.

The detector is provided in communication with an analyzer which maydecipher the presence or absence of the second, third and fourthwaveform pulses in order to determine whether a sperm cell was orientedwhen it passed through the inspection region. In a digital system, oncea determination of orientation is made, the pulse area and/or the pulsepeak of the first pulse waveform can be evaluated and a determinationregarding sex characteristics can be made.

FIG. 29D provides an alternative arrangement for the second mask region2024′, in the form of slits progressively moving in transverse patternalong the flow path. It should be appreciated any number of othersimilar configurations may be incorporated into the second mask region2024′. In an unpaired configuration, the number of waveform pulses, mayprovide an indication of whether a sperm is oriented and how unorientedit may be. It could be understood any number of patterns may beemployed, as long as there are some differences in the transverseposition of the apertures, or slits.

As can be understood from the foregoing, features described for focusinga core stream, or aligning sperm in a flow channel, may be combined withvarious features for orienting sperm, as well as with various featuresfor detecting sperm orientation, and even with other features forfocusing a core stream. Similarly, one or more of the describedorientation features may be employed in a single flow channel for thepurpose of orienting sperm. The basic concepts of the present inventionmay be embodied in a variety of ways and in a variety of combinations.The invention involves numerous and varied embodiments of sex sortingsperm including, but not limited to, the best mode of the invention. Assuch, the particular embodiments or elements of the invention disclosedby the description or shown in the figures or tables accompanying thisapplication are not intended to be limiting, but rather illustrative ofthe numerous and varied embodiments generically encompassed by theinvention or equivalents encompassed with respect to any particularelement thereof. In addition, the specific description of a singleembodiment or element of the invention may not explicitly describe allembodiments or elements possible; many alternatives are implicitlydisclosed by the description and figures.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each stepof a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Suchterms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitlybroad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example,it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed asan action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causesthat action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed asthe physical element or the action which that physical elementfacilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of “sorter” should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of the act of “sorting”—whetherexplicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectivelydisclosure of the act of “sorting”, such a disclosure should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of a “sorter” and even a “means forsorting.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to beunderstood to be explicitly included in the description.

In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unlessits utilization in this application is inconsistent with suchinterpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to beincluded in the description for each term as contained in the RandomHouse Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definitionhereby incorporated by reference.

Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or“an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a”or “an”, “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeablyherein.

All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term“about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of thepresent invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” oneparticular value to “about” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueto the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges byendpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. Anumerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment.

The background section of this patent application provides a statementof the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This sectionmay also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United Statespatents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of theclaimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concernsabout the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. Itis not intended that any United States patent, patent application,publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated hereinbe interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art withrespect to the invention.

The claims set forth in this specification, are hereby incorporated byreference as part of this description of the invention, and theapplicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion ofsuch incorporated content of such claims as additional description tosupport any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof,and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move anyportion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or anyelement or component thereof from the description into the claims orvice versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection issought by this application or by any subsequent application orcontinuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, orto obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to complywith the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty,and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during theentire pendency of this application including any subsequentcontinuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof orany reissue or extension thereon.

1. A method of sorting sperm comprising the steps of: flowing spermthrough a plurality of flow channels in a microfluidic chip; orientingsperm within the plurality of flow channels; flowing the oriented spermthrough an inspection region in the flow channels; interrogating spermat the at least one inspection region to determine spermcharacteristics; differentiating oriented sperm from unoriented sperm inthe flow channels; selecting a subpopulation of oriented sperm based onthe detected sperm characteristics; and collecting the selectedsubpopulation of sperm in a collection vessel.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of: providing an electromagnetic radiationsource; manipulating electromagnetic radiation produced from theelectromagnetic radiation source for inspecting multiple inspectionregions.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of manipulatingelectromagnetic radiation further comprises the steps of: splitting theelectromagnetic radiation produced by the electromagnetic radiationsource.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of manipulating theelectromagnetic radiation further comprises the step of: manipulatingthe shape of the beam profile of the electromagnetic radiation.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting a subpopulation ofsperm based on the detected sperm characteristics further comprises thestep of diverting the flow of a selected sperm within flow channel basedon the detected sperm characteristics.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of differentiating oriented sperm from un-orientedsperm and excluding un-oriented sperm from selection.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the steps of: generating a first signal witha forward fluorescence detector in response to emitted electromagneticradiation of sperm at the inspection region, wherein the first signalcomprises waveform pulses having detectable pulse characteristics. 8.The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of generating asecond signal with a side fluorescence detector.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein the step of generating a second signal with a sidefluorescence detector further comprises associating a reflective elementwith each flow channel for reflecting the side florescence outward anddetecting the side fluorescence in parallel with a forward fluorescence.10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of detecting theforward fluorescence through a first mask and the side fluorescencethrough a second mask.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprisingthe step of deconvolving a first waveform pulse and a second waveformpulse from signal produced by the detector.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein the deconvolved waveform pulse provide the sperm orientation.13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of generating aplurality of waveform pulses with a single detector in response tosingle sperm, wherein the plurality of waveform pulses provideorientation information about the sperm cell.
 14. The method of claim13, further comprising the step of measuring laser extinction todetermine sperm orientation.
 15. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising the steps of: generating a second signal with a first sidefluorescence detector, wherein the second signal comprises waveformpulses having detectable pulse characteristics; and generating a thirdsignal with a second side fluorescence detector, wherein the secondsignal comprises waveform pulses having detectable pulsecharacteristics.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein pulsecharacteristics of the second and third signals differentiated theorientation of sperm cells.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein thepulse characteristics are selected from the group consisting of: peakheight, pulse width, pulse peak lag, pulse slope, pulse area, andcombinations thereof.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising thesteps of comparing the pulse characteristics of the second signal to thepulse characteristics of the third signal to determine spermorientation.